Recent Posts: Out of My Mouth

Y’all remember middle school? Maybe you’ve tried to forget but I know you remember those braids your mamma finally let you get. You remember when she made you take them out when you got that C on your report card too. Or that time your friend dared you to walk in the men’s bathroom and […]

Two years ago, I was single. I was 30 years old. In single girl years, that’s about 42. By that time, I had dealt with the roller coaster of emotions that come with the territory when you’re a somewhat traditional woman who wants the whole husband, children, house by a certain age – an age […]

I recently ran across a short story I wrote about five years ago. I was happy that it popped up, remembering that it had been my first attempt at writing prose. I thought I’d read it and be impressed with myself, maybe even inspired to build on it or create something new. I read the […]

Let’s take a moment to imagine what it would be like to have been in Dr. King’s posse, his crew. Imagine him rolling through your hometown on his way to his next planned protest, asking to stop by your church and commune with your congregation. Maybe practice his next televised speech. Maybe speak to the […]

I’m not sure what’s going on in 2019, but we’re 11 days into the year and I’ve been werking – with the e, not the o. Werk is the type you do that’s hard but fun and feels a little fabulous. It shouldn’t be confused with the work you do that’s not all that fun […]

Sorority Sisters, Are You FRFR?

Here’s the thing about being greek – it’s not one thing for everybody. Not all Alphas are smart and not all Omegas are nasty. Not all Deltas are divas and not all AKA’s are pretty (I’ve seen a few buga bears). As with most things, we like to put people in boxes and leave them there. I think that’s fair to an extent because the reason people pledge is to affiliate themselves with a certain group of people. The logical conclusion is that people who chose to join an organization want to be lumped in with that group, to be associated with whatever thoughts cascade through our minds when we think of that organization.

BUT! We’re all different and definitely keep our independence. Each organization has a certain set of protocols and standards that it holds its members to. They are aspirational….sort of like the bible. The bible is like “yeah Christians, be perfect” and then we’re like “I mean, Imma try but don’t hold me to it.” It’s the same with our organizations. They’re like “yeah bruhs/sorors, uphold all the founding principles of the organization (which are really similar across all of the divine 9) and we’re like, “I’ll do what I can while I have my letters on but then when I take these mugs off, Imma be myself.”

That’s when the new VH-1 reality show, “Sorority Sisters” comes in. These women maintain some independence. They are imperfect people trying to come up in the world. Have you seen it? I admittedly did not watch the premier, but I saw the trailer (which was enough ratchet to hold me over for about a week) and I’ve read several reviews of the show.

Let me tell you what I do like first. I like that all of us who are Greek are getting a lesson in acceptance. At the end of the day, boo boo, those women are your sorors AND don’t act like you didn’t have a couple of the same sort of people come through your chapter. We’ve all had a sister or two who we’ve not agreed with or even liked. So what? Put your big girl panties on and say hey when you see her. No need in talking trash about the girl. If you’re all that concerned, reach out to her and have a convo. If you’re not all that concerned, keep it cute and keep it mute (this line was stolen from my friend, Alexis….she’s an AKA….. a pretty one).

Let me tell you what I don’t like. Another flip flappin’ show about black women who don’t like each other. I’m less concerned about how this show portrays black greeks (although it’s atrocious) and more concerned about how this show portrays black women, generally. Hello, VH-1, can you kindly take your lips off Mona Scott’s behind and your chokehold off black women’s worth? We would all appreciate it. This ish is ridiculous. Give me free!

Little black and brown girls who are looking to be validated on TV deserve more. They deserve to see themselves in roles that are as varied as they are. They don’t deserve to go into this world fighting a stereotype perpetuated by TV producers, writers, actors, etc. who don’t give a fudge.

Somebody should give me a job in the entertainment business so that I can get lives together. Mona Scott, you’re fired. Sorority Sisters, you’re canceled. Love & Hip Hop, you’re stupid and you’re canceled too. Salim and Mara Brock Akil, you’re hired. Nate Parker and Gina Prince-Blythewood, come on board. All my line sisters are getting jobs and maybe a few AKA’s from Theta Psi because they’re cool too. We’re making movies and television shows about black women who are smart, who own businesses, who are wives and mothers, who go to school, who work hard and pray harder, and every now and then we’ll throw some ratchet in the mix because that’s how it is in real life.

They can’t be serious with this show. Burrr!

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I'm Mariah. Jesus is my homie. I live in (and was raised in) the south. I am, as often as possible, actively grateful for my family because I understand their life giving power. Really dislike melodramatics. Really love reading and writing so much so that I aspire to be an author. What else?